Segun Ozique

Book:   RUSTLE IN THE WIND-Collection of short stories Author: Nneonyeodiri (Nee). O. Ukoha Online purchase @ www.Spectrumbooksonline.com We have plethora of wars in the world today as has been from the beginning of time. The Nigeria/Biafran Civil war was no different-an obnoxious, evil and cancerous machination of some ego tripping men. Historians, and writers in general from both divide, particularly, the victors, often paint romantic and glowing documentation of wars as theatrical platform showcasing bravery, dexterity, endurance, will-power, etc. And though they also sometimes touch on people’s sufferings, this is often done by ways of a people in distress slant; a generalisation that overshadows the realities of the individuals as stand-alone person or family in pains. But the pains, horrors and anguish families and individuals go through in warfare are real and Nne in this book, ‘ Rustle in the Wind ,’ unwraps such realities and absurdities strikingly. Her work brings to

‘A Song As I am and Other Poems,’ is a collection of non-form, rhyming and metering poems collection ranging from personal life experiences – the realities and expectations and society’s state of disorganisation with human playing the lead role in its destabilization; she gives readers, divided and heterogeneous insights and flavours. She writes evocative and touching poems that draws on all sorts of connotations as she does with varied conclusions. One thing she makes very clear in this collection; Mabel is a mum, done this and done that about being a wife; about birth, marriage, the ups, then downs that goes with nuptials. Has experienced wars, work, survival and she sings about them all. Her poems about her experiences and concerns on motherhood; watching children grow, experiencing love and loving her maternal environment are my favourites. There are some really enjoyable poems in this collection: including ‘...  A Song As I am, To Be A Woman, For Monrovia, Nuptial Counsel,

In this book, Joe Dauda, an author, social analyst and writing consultant rehearses the history of the temperaments of President Goodluck Jonathan; doing a psychological analysis of his fluctuating behavioural patterns. Starting with a quote, from the book; concerning the president’s reaction to a negative TV broadcast...he writes, ‘...not even the worst critic of the president will disagree that his decision to visit the college himself while on his way to important regional meeting was very commendable...with that one act, President Jonathan,’ should have, ‘silenced for all time any criticism on being lackadaisical in governance. By visiting Police College, Ikeja, he showed Nigerians that he cares and is willing to work to correct what needs correction in the country...’ however, ‘after seeing the rot in Ikeja Police College with his own eyes...’ rather than as expected roll out the promises to right the wrongs, ‘the president,’ instead, had an unfortunate brainwave, ‘forgot the

‘Scavengers’ Orgy,’ explores the role of customs in communities, in range of behaviour from taken for granted traits, deeds and actions; from child bequeathal, marriage, rape to all manners of exploitations and manipulations. Ozioma documents the shenanigans by individuals and organizations as they crisscross Nigeria to Europe and North America; identifying, exposing and amplifying associations and relationships that may not be obvious to casual readers. ‘Eyes glued to the mirror, Beatrice gauges the effect of the clingy black top she has just pulled over her black bra. It hangs over her short jeans skirt, revealing a wee bit of the alluring flesh of her tight abdomen. She screw up her eyes to better appreciate the effect of her apparel on her prospective audience…she is after all, the prize that has attracted all the attention. Normally she does not mind parading herself, a sinecure of inquisitive eyes, but not for these unpolished rural skunks. For three days, she has felt he

Back in 1967, two ‘…young Sandhurst-trained soldiers… were the principal actors in the Nigeria-Biafra civil war. Fast-track to today; the two, ex-soldiers, one; Odumegwu Ojukwu, before his death, at 78 years old, extremely wealthy, enjoyed a rich public and private life of abundance, remarried and saw all his children grow. The other; Yakubu Gowon, now 78 years old, also exceedingly prosperous, alive and well, has seen all his children grow and presently seating on the board of several ‘do good,’ organizations in Nigeria. Many, however, particularly millions of women and children were not so lucky, they died in that war of attritions-starved or raped to death or hacked till dead in a war they knew nothing about, fought, not in a neutral battleground between soldiers but in the compounds, communities and lives of the South-Easterners, that was Biafra. The Nigerian government was the victor, with millions of lives from both sides, vanquished, worst hit being those on the side of Biafr

To most people, the masses resort to violence much too quick because of many reasons. Some of the explanations often put forward as causes fall under one general umbrella - lacks; lack of jobs, lack of education, lack of basic social amenities, lack of good moral, etc. It has become expected that at the simplest provocations, misunderstanding or communication break-down, there would be violence. The scene of such violence are brought to our homes on daily basis; we saw them in the many past violent riots and killings, the on-going Boko Haram insurgence, the fracas in Ekiti and River States, etc. All these are well documented by the newspapers, magazines, social media, radio and television. However, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai author of the book ‘The Accidental Public Servant,’ added a most insightful insider expose to why and how the state of affairs has been politically hijacked and perpetuated. He writes; ‘…Obasanjo encouraged a variety of gambits toward his aim; put one ethnic group ag